Page 19 of Doubling Down

“Please,” Eric added. “I can explain everything. If you’ll let me.”

“Fine.”

“Will you sit?” Eric asked. He didn’t want to force Ezra, but the boy was barely remaining on his feet.

“Sure.” Ezra dropped down to the couch although he didn’t look away from his daughter.

Eric patted the toddler’s back as he rocked her. He knew that sitting himself might upset the little one so he remained standing. “I was placed undercover within the casino at the request of Jesse Lambert and my lieutenant.” There wasn’t a whole lot that he could share but Eric had to tell Ezra as much of the truth as possible.

“Mr. Lambert knows you’re a cop?” Ezra demanded.

“He does.”

“Okay, at least that’s something.” Ezra’s glare came down several degrees.

“I’ve been working undercover for him. I can’t tell you the details of the case. I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t mean to snap at you,” Ezra said. “It was just a surprise.”

“I bet.” Eric grinned. “I had no idea that you lived here.”

Ezra’s shoulders stiffened.

“Not judging. You should have seen my last place. I just would have been more careful knocking on doors.” Eric patted Annabelle’s back as she began to babble. “And I had no idea that you had a daughter.”

Pressing his lips together, Ezra nodded. “Only a few people know about her. I try to keep my personal life away from work.”

That was concerning. Was Ezra running from something? As a cop Eric could imagine many different scenarios that he could have suddenly involved himself in. “Her mother?”

“I’m a single dad. I have full custody. The paperwork is in my room.”

“I believe you.” Eric was also relieved.

“Annabelle’s mother and I met in college. We hooked up at a frat party. She didn’t want a child. At least not at the time. She also didn’t want to have an abortion. She was talking about adoption, but I said I wanted her.” Ezra’s gaze when to the little bundle that Eric held. “I haven’t regretted the decision once since she was born.”

It didn’t sound like the first time that Ezra had to justify his life.

“Ezra.” Eric stepped closer to the couch. “I am not questioning how you live your life.”

“But I’m too young to have a kid.”

“No.” That wasn’t Eric’s place. “I can just see that you’re having a rough night. If there isn’t anyone else, then I want to help you.”

“Why?” Ezra demanded.

It was a legit question. “You don’t know me well, but can you at least trust me? Understand that I will not do anything to hurt you or your baby girl?” It wasn’t not like Eric could fall to his knees and confess that he wanted Ezra to be his. Daughter or no daughter.

“Because you’re a cop?”

“Because no matter what my job is, I do care what happens to you.”

With a sigh, Ezra flopped back against the couch. “I trust you.”

Those words warmed Eric’s heart. He heard Dane calling out for him. He held up a finger to Ezra before strolling to the door that was still wide open. Eric stuck his head out. “Hey!” he called softly.

Dane did a comical double take when he spotted the toddler in his arms.

Eric grinned.

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